ideally

adverb

ide·​al·​ly ī-ˈdē-ə-lē 

-ˈdē(-ə)l-lē

1

a

: conformably to or in respect to an ideal : perfectly

He would have liked to live in a world of ideally united couples, himself ideally united …

—P. G. Wodehouse

b

: for best results

Ideally, the counselor should vary his techniques for each applicant …

—T. M. Martinez

c

: in accordance with an ideal or typical standard : classically

2

: in relation to an exemplar

3

: in idea or imagination : mentally

… was afraid of the gallows. She was terrified of them ideally. Having never set eyes on that last argument of men's justice …

—Joseph Conrad

Synonyms of ideally

• perfectly
• immaculately

Examples of ideally in a Sentence

His skills made him ideally suited for the job.

They were ideally suited to one another.

The ski slope was situated ideally.

Recent Examples on the Web

Since then, it has been performed across much of the world, being ideally suited to these impecunious times and very masterfully written. —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026

Inspect your window’s weep holes at least once or twice a year, ideally before rainy seasons, to make sure these are clear from debris. —Molly Burford, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026

Opening Day is 14 days away, and Ryan is ideally Minnesota’s starter in its opener against the Baltimore Orioles. —Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026

Let’s further stipulate that communing with celebrity, ideally very talented celebrity, has been a part of what Broadway has been selling for a century or more. —Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for ideally

• kiswahili
• freely
• keeley
• mealy
• seely
• steely
• vilely
• intraperitoneally
• lapilli
• swahili

Kids Definition

ideally

adverb

ide·​al·​ly ī-ˈdē-ə-lē 

-ˈdē(-ə)l-lē

1

: in agreement with an ideal : perfectly

ideally suited to the job

2

: for best results

ideally, each student should arrive early